Method and apparatus for forming an interiorly beaded or looped tearing-strip can



March 19, 1929. WALTER AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING AN INTERIOR BEADED OR LOOPED TEARING STRIP CAN METHOD 4; Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 19, 1926 1/ ATTRNEY 'March 19, 1929.

' I l 705 843 METHOD AND APPAISTU? F 8 R 1 "O mG.AN INTERIORLY BEADED 0R LOOPED. TEARING' STRIP CAN Filed Feb 19 1926 4 t s t 2.

INVENTOR flaw g M. T RNEY March 19,1929. G. F. WALTER 1,705,843

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING AN INTERIORLY BEADED OR LOOPED TEARI'NG STRIP CAN Filed Feb. 19, 1926 4 shee sshe'et 5 j Z' J 7 5 I b I v 48 I 49 I y;

7 I is :1 v i" w A Q N J5 A I INVENTOR G. F. WALTER ATUS FOR FORMIN March 19, 1929.

Patented Mar. 19, 1929.

UNITED STATES A 1.105.843 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE FREDRICK WALTER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOBi TO AMERICAN CAN COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,' A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING AN INTERIORLY BEADED OR LOOPED {BEARING-STRIP CAN.

Application filed February 19, 1926. Serial No. 89,277.

My invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming an interiorly beaded or looped tearing strip can.

The invention disclosed in the drawings and described in the specification of this application refers to the manufacture of a metal container, made according to the invention of- John M. Young, which is the subject'matter of a U. S. Patent- 1,586,2 77 granted May 25, 1926. In this particular orm of metal container a portion of the eontainersvall is bent inwardly andupwardly in a looped construction to provide an interior friction wall seat for an associated interior friction plug formed on the container, and utilized as a friction element after the tearing strip which is embodied in the container wall about the loop portion has been removed. In this type of container the cover is hermetically sealed to the upper part ofthe container and this construction forms a hermetic closure. The

tea-ring strip is defined by scored lines and provided with an extended tongue which is.

- production comprising a minimum number of operations necessary for the efficient manufacture of the container.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision. of a simple method and apparatus for forming the inwardly pressing grooved portion of the can which forms the friction wall seat thereof of properly sized dimensionsso that the can will correctly engage the cover member when the latter is used as a reclosure.

Still another object of my invention resides in the provision of an apparatus for forming the preliminary bead which is adapted to provide the inwardly pressing loop portions of the friction wall seat of the can; and for providing an additional apparatus havin combined parts for collapsing this preforme' bead and thereafter reshaping it to exact conformation, to provide the finished inwardly pressing loop portion forming the friction wall seat of the container.

Another object of my invention resides in the simple construction of the collapsible die shaping members which are adapted to reform the collapsed bead which die shaping members are constructed and arranged in an interfitting relation to provide a continuous and unbroken reforming groove for reshaping the bead.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which,taken in connection with the accompanying drawin s, discloses a preferred emiodiment thereo Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the type of container adapted to be formed according to my invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a beading device illustrating a container body in position during the beading operation.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view partly in elevation of a colla sing and sizing device illustrating the beaded container body in proper positionto be engaged by the collapsing mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the form of container after thecollapse has been accomplished.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the collapsing and sizing elements, a portion'of the parts being broken away to more clearly illustrate the operation, the view illustrating the sizing elements previous to acting upon the beaded and collapsed container body.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the sizing elements in operating position for quickly sizing the interior diameter of the looped portion of the container.

Fig. 7 .is a cross-sectional view of the collapsing and sizing mechanism, the view being taken on a horizontal plane indicated by the lines 77 in Fig. 6, a portion of the mecha nism being broken away to more clearly illustrate the operation, this view showing the sizing elements in its contracted or inoperative position.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, illustrating the sizing device expanded and in operative position.

and particiilarly to Fig. 1, the numeral indicates a hollow container body of a cylindrical or other form, provided with the ordinary member 28 is threaded fixedly to the shell 27 side seam 11, and circumfe'rentially scored lines 12 setting oil a tearing strip 13, and further provided with directing score lines 14 arranged at an angle to the score lines 12. The said tearin strip 13 terminates in the tongue 15 extended beyond the said side seam 11. The container is provided with a bottom member 16 and a cover member 17 double-seamed to the container wall. The said cover member 17 is provided with a countersink 18, inwardly spaced from the interior wall of the container 10 when the cover member 17 is secured to the seam by the regular double-seam 19. The container wall '10 is inwardly pressed at 20 to form an upwardly and inwardly extending loop 21, connecting with a downwardl and outwardly extending loop 22, forme in the container wall adjacent and beneath the tearing strip 13. The inner diameter of the looped portion 21 is correctly sized to securely engage the outer diameter of the counter-sink 18 after the tearing strip is removed and when the cover member 17 is used as a reclosure for the opened container 10.

In forming the articular elements described in this container and shown in Fig. 1, it is necessary to first form the container body 10 in the regular manner by properly shaping it to cylindrical or other forms and engaging the edges of the blank in the regular side seam 11. This cylindrical .or other formed body 10 is then pressed in a beading machine where the first operation of forming.

the looped construction is accomplished.- The forming of the first operation orbead on %he container part is clearly illustrated in The beading mechanism consists of an inner beading roller 23 rotatably mounted on a stud 24 cccentrically secured to the end of a shaft 25, eccentrically journalled in a sleeve 26 rotatable within a shell 27. A hollow cup and extends beyond the end of the same as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. In the annular opening formed in the outer part of the shell there is disposed a ring 29 secured to the cup member 28 by means of screws 30, passing through a hardened steel washer 31 overlying the end of the sleeve 26 and spaced therefrom. The ring 29 is formed with an inwardly extended annular ridge 32 adapted to co-operate at certain periods with an annular groove 33 formed in the roller 23, as clearly illustrated in'Fig. 2. p

The formed cylindrical container body 10 is inserted within the beadingdevice by be ing positioned with its innerend against the washer 31, it being understood that the sleeve 26 and the shaft 25 are moved relative to one another, in order, by reason of the eccentricity of each of those members, to position the roller 23 centrally of the ring 29 and away from the inner wall of the ring 29. After the container body 10 has thus been positioned the shaft 25 and the sleeve 26 are both slightly rotated to force the roller 23 toward the inner wall of the ring 29, as illustrated in Fig. 2. In this position the roller- 23 engages the inner diameter of the container body 10 and the groove 33 of the said roller forces the material of the container wall against the annular ridge 32 of the ring 29 and causes that part of the container wall to conform to the shape of the ridge 32 and-the groove 33. While the sleeve 26 and the shaft 25 is then held in fixed position the shell 27 carrying the cup member 28 and the ring 29 is then rotated, which action causes the ridge 32 to carry the entire circumference ofvthe container body 10 in a circular path of travel, and'this action by reason of the co-operation of. the roller 23 which works upon the stud 24 forms an inwardly pressed head 35 into the upper wall of the container body 10 ad jacent the tearing strip 13.

After the groove 35 has been formed entirely around the container body 10 the sleeve 26 and the shaft 25 are moved to cause the roller 23 to move inwardly from its position adjacent the ring 29 and thus to free the said container body 10. The formed and now beaded container body is then removed from the. heading machine.

While I have shown a heading mechanism consisting of an inner beading roller and an outer beading sleeve, it should be understood that the same beading operation can be equally well erformed by means of two rollers proper y shaped between which the container wall is moved in any suitable manner. The same .resulting bead could also be equally well obtained by means of collapsing and expanding inner and outer beading jaws co-operating. with the container wall to form the annular head or groove 35. These alternative methods of forming the head are well known in the art and my illustration merely shows a preferred form for accomplishing the beading operation. The particular form of beading mechanism is not essential in my mechanism, inasmuch as the invention contemplates :1 series of steps of which the initial beading operation is merelyone element.

The formed and beaded container body 10 is then transferred to a collapsing device,

projected shoulder v39, engaging the upper edge of the said body. The shell 37 is carried by and threaded .to'the bottom end of a shaft 40, supported and operated in any suitable manner not shown.

\Vhen the container body 10 ispositioned, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the shaft 40 carrying the shell 37 is moved downwardly toward the support 36 and this action collapses the head 35 formed in the said body and causes it to assumea completed position illustrated at 41 in Fig. 4, this action causing a shortening of the container body.

I have also provided in my collapsing mechanism sizing elements clearly illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, and these elements are positioned interiorly of the container 10 when the same is within the collapsing mechanism. The sizing and the final shaping of the looped portion 41 into the loops 21 and 22 previously referred to, is accomplished by means of expanding elements consisting of two setsof expanding jaws and being illustrated as three jaws to each set. The construction of these expanding elements is such as to permit the entire six jaws when in con- 'tracted' position being positioned entirely within the container body 10, but upon being expanded to engage the interior of the container body, the outer periphery of all of the jaws forms a complete circle or other complete form, according to the shape of the container body 10. This is clearly illustrated in Figs. 7and 8.

The expanding elements consist of three jaws 42 and three jaws '43. The normal or contracted position is illustrated in Fig. 7,

"Wherein the jaws 43 are positioned entirely inside of the jaws 42.

As clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7, each jaw 42 is provided with an outwardly extended square finger 44, which slides within a square opening of slot 45, formed in the upper part of the ring 38. A coiled spring 46 is disposed within the slot and normally keeps the jaw 42in contracted or'inward position. The finger 44 thus rests above the shoulder 39 of the ring 38.

Similarly located are the jaws 43 which are provided with fingers 48 adapted to slide within slots 49 formed in the upper part of the ring 38, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 7. A coiled spring 50 is disposed within the slot 49 and normally holds the jaw 43 inwardly or in collapsed position.

Each 'jaw 42 is provided with a sizing groove 51 and each jaw43 is provided with an identically formed groove 52 which grooves engage the loop 41 of thecontainer body 10 when the jaws 42 and 43 are expanded to' sizing position. Therelative relation of the said jaws when in expanded position causes the grooves 51 and 52 to form one continuous annular groove,,as will hereinafter be more fully described.

As clearly illustrated in Figs. 3, 5, 7 and 8, the sizing aws are operated by means of a vertically movable wedge 53 formed on the lower extremity of a rod 54,.slidabl'y movable within the shaft 40. 1 The said Wedge 53 is provided with I three tapered extending wedges or fins 55, engaging in tapered slots 56 formed on the inner lower extremities of each of the jaws 43. By this construction it should be evident that when the wedge 53 is in its lowermost position as indicated in Fig. 3 the three jaws 43 are tightly held with adjacent faces in close proximity and surrounding the smaller portion of the wedge 53, as illustrated in Fig. 7'. Upon the vertical movement of the wedge 53 the outer inclined surface 57 of each fin moves against the corresponding inclined surface 58 adjacent each slot 56 of each jaw 43 and causes the latter to move outwardly as 'the wedge member 53 is raised to its extreme upward position, indicated in Fig. 6.- In' this position the groove 52 of the jaw 43 has engaged the loop 41 of the container body 10 and forcing the said loop outwardly has caused the loop to conform to the shape of the groove 52 and to assume the double loop form illustrated at 59 in Fig. 6. During the outward movement of the said jaws 43 their corresponding springs 50 have been compressed, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6.

The sidewalls of each jaw 43 are vertical and disposed at an angle of sixty degrees to each other, and this construction, as clearly indicated in Figs. 7 and 8, causes the walls of each jaw43 to always engage the straight inner wall of each jaw 42 and as the j aws 43 are moved outwardly under the action of the wedge 53 as described the sidewalls of the jaws engaging the inner walls of the jaws 42 cause the latter to also move outwardly from the contracted initial position shown in Fig. 7 to the fully expanded position illustrated in Fig. 8. In the latter position the outer cylindrical surface of each jaw 42 is in exact alinement with the outer cylindrical surface of each jaw 43 and the twosets of jaws therefore co-operate to complete a smooth, cylindrical surface engaging the inner surface of the container body 10, and also cause the groove 51 and the groove 52 to co-operate to form one complete annular groove. Inasmuch as the jaws 42 are thus forced against the inner wall of the container 10 the grooves 51 thereof engage a portion of the loop 41 and co-operating with the grooves 52, as described, completely reform the loop 41 into the final double loop 59 as previously described. During this expanding action of each of the jaws 42 their corresponding springs 46 are compressed, as clearly illustrated in F ig- 8.

. Inasmuch as the inner diameter, of the container body 10 is of an exact'dimension, and inasmuch as the groove 51 and the groove 52 is formed with a. fixed definite shape, the inner diameter of the resulting double loop 59 is of an exact predeterminedlength, this being the diameter necessary to form a snug fit with the counter-sink 18 of the cover member 17 when the latter is used as a reolosure, as previously described.

After the container body 10 has thus been fully formed the rod 54 carrying the wedge 53 is lowered and the springs 46 and 50 operating upon their respective jaws 42 and 43 cause the latter to move inwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 7 This position of the jaws completely frees the double loop 59 and permits lifting of the collapsing and sizing mechanism. After the container body has thus been entirely freed the same is removed from the machine and carried to the next operation. The formed container body is then flanged and one end is double seamed on the body, at which time the container is ready for filling. After filling, the opposite end of the container is double seamed into position and the container is thus complete, as shown in Fig. 1. Inasmuch as the flanging and double seaming operations are well known in the art and do not form any part of the present invention, the illustration of'these operations is omitted.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim: 1. The method of forming a beaded, or looped portion in the wall of a container or the like, comprising preliminarily forming a peripheral internal head in the wall of the container, collapsing the bead, and.

thereafter reshaping the collapsed head to exact dimensions.

2.. The method of forming a beaded or looped portion in the wall of a container to produce a seat for a cover, comprising preliminarily forming the beaded seat by transverse pressure and then by endwise' pressure and thereafter reshaping the collapsed head to exact diametral dimensions throughout. I

3. The process of forming an inwardly projecting beaded or looped portion in a can wall comprising rolling the can wall to form an inwardly projecting peripheral bead, collapsing the bead, and die pressing the bead to form a looped wall portion thereof as a friction wall seat of exact diameter at all points circumferentially of said wall.

4. The process of forming a looped wall portion in a canor the like, comprising ,form-' ing a collapsed inwardly projecting loop in the can wall, and reshaping the'loop to pro- 6. The process of forming a friction wall seat in a can wall comprising rolling an inwardly ro ectm sure to collapse the "bead, and thereafter die pressing the collapsed head to exact 'di ametral dimensions throughout.

' 7 The process of forming a beaded portion in a can Wall comprising rolling the can wall to provide an inwardly rojectin peripheral, bead, collapsing the bead, and thereafter bending the bead to give it an exact diametral dimension throughout its circumference. -8. A device for rolling a bead in a can wall comprising a support, a ring carried thereby and provided with a circumferential ridge having the cross section of the bead desired to be formed, a shaft mounted on said support, a roll on the end of said shaft, a roller having a groove corresponding to the bead on the ring, and means for eccentrically moving the ring and roller relatively so as to peripheral bead in the can wall, subjecting the can wall to endwise pres-,

roll a bead on a can wall positioned between the ring and roller.

9. In a device of the character described,

a combination of a on member, a ring internally mounted therein and provided with a peripheral can wall shaping portion, a

shoulder member disposed within the ring for positionin the can end,a sleeve projecting throng the cup member, a shaft eccen'trically mounted within; the sleeve, relal tively to the cup member, a'roller mounted on said shaft and disposed'within the ring,

said roller having a peripheral 'complementary can wall shaping portion therein to correspond to the head of the ring.

10. In a device of the character described,-

the combination of a hollow cup member, a

ring seat in the internal face thereof, a washer disposed between a shoulder ofthe cup member and said ring, a screw passing through said ring,'washer, and into said cup member, a sleeve disposed within said cap member, a shaft eccentrically mounted in said sleeve, aroller mounted on the end of said shaft, means. for eccentrically moving;

.inwardly projecting peripheral outer diameter of the can wall, and said shoulder adapted to receive the, end of the can wall, whereby when the shell'and ring is slipped over the end of the can with. the can end seated against the'shoulder, and

endwise pressure 'is exerted upon the can,

said bead will be collapsed.

- 12. A device for collapsing a re-formed ead in a can wall, comprisin as support, a member carried thereby an having a recess of a diameter to exactly receive the can therein, and having a shoulder adapted to receive the can end, whereby when endwise pressure is exerted on the can eifid'fsaid bead will be collapsed.

.13. In a device of the character described. in combination a shell, a'hollow ring seated in said shell, a plurality of dies seated within and radially movable with respect to said ring, each of said dies having an outer ar cuate surface consistsing of a discontinuous portion of the inner circumference of the can wall to be formed, a plurality of auxiliary' dies disposed within said first mentioned dies and radiall movable with re spect to said ring, said inner dies each having a discontinuousouter'arcuate surface consisting of-a discontinuous portionof the can wall to be formed, adapted to be moved into the circumferential plane of the-alienate surfaces of the outer dies and to form with said dies a continuous circumferential die :surface adapted to act upon a can wall disposed between said dies .and said ring.

14. 'A device of the character described, comprising .a shell a hollow ring therein adapted to form an inner die wall andito provide a'pluralitiy'of guideways, a pluralityof;

spaced apart es having portions. moving in said guide-ways,apluralityof s rings, each adapted to project a die inwar lof said dies having anouterarcuatef] ie's'urface. forming a discontinuous portion of thecircumference of'th'e can wall to. be formed, a" plurality .of auxiliarydies, each having a portion' adaptedto slide in a guide way of the; ring, springs'for projecting said. auxiliary i "dies inwardly, a wed e member-engaging with said auxiliary-flies to force the same outwardly and likewise to force said first mentioned dies outward] aainstthe surface of said inner ring, eac 0 said inner dies having an exterior arcuate surface forming a discontinuous ortion of the can wall to be formed, and sai inner dies. moving outwardly, in the spaces betweentheifir t. mentioned to A member. a 15. In a device of the character described,

' w diesinto an,outer operativepositionwherein the arcuate vsurfaces of puter-Land" inner dies form a contmuous c rcumferent al die the combination of. a support, a hollow ring therein formi-n an inner-die'wall, and provided with a? ulffllityof guideways', a plu-' :port, a ring therein forming, an inner die wall and provided with a plurality of guiderality of outer dies collapsible radially, a plurality of springs, each adapted to project a die normally inwardly, each of said dies having an arcuate surface formingla discontinuous portion of the container wa to be formed,

and each of said dies having a chordal inner wall, a plurality of inner dies disposed with-v in said outer dies and having guide-memto move into the circumferential plane of the arcuate surface of the outer dies to provide a continuous circumferential die surface;

16. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of' a hollow supways, a plurality of outer dies having outer portions moving'in said guide-ways, means for projecting said dies inwardly, said outer dies having cross sections, each the segment of acircle and being spaced apart, the arc uate surface of each of said die segments cor res 'ondingtoa discontinuousyportion of the wal of the'containerto be formed, a plu" rality of inner dies disposed within said die segments, and each having an outer arcuate surface corresponding to a discontinuous por tion of the container wall to be formed and havin lateral surfaces, disposed parallel to the a jacent chordal faces of the outer die 1 segments, and means for shifting said inner dies outwardly to cause-said outer dies likeinner dies to move outwardly between the outer dies so that the arcuate surface of the said inner and outerdies'lie' in a common c1rripheral die surface adapted to co-operate with the die surface of the ring member. I 17;"In'an apparatus of the "character de-- scribed, the combination of "a shell, wring 'therein, f or'mi ng an inner-die wall and provided'with a plurality of guide-ways, a pinralityof outer die members, eachphaving' an outer arcuat'e surface forming a discontinuous portion of thecontainer wall to be formed,

and each of said'membershavinga portion slidable in a guide-way of said ring, each of said diesehavmg an inner chordal'surface, a plurality ofinner dies disposed; within said arcuate-surface and forming with the arcuate surface'siof said outer dies, a continuous circumferential die wall, said inner dies having lateral surfaces lying parallel with and adapt- ,wise'toxmove outwardly, and to cause said "cumferential plane to' provide a continuous outer 'dies,-each of said inner dieshaving an 7 ed to contact with the chordal surfaces of said outer dies, each of said inner dies having a groove therein, and a wedge member having portions operating in the grooves of each of said inner dies, said wedge member being constructed and arranged to force said inner dies radially outwardly and to force said outer dies radially outwardly, said inner dies moving into position between the spaces ofsaid outer dies so as to form the discontinuous peripheral die surface, and means for normally moving said dies inwardly.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination of a support, having a ring like member forming an inner die wall, a plurality of inner and outer dies disposed therein, each formed with a peripheral diegroove therein, adapted to move into position to cooperate with the inner die Wall of the ring,

said outer dies having arcuate surfaces and chordal inner surfaces, said inner dies having arcuate outer surfaces and lateral surfaces lying parallel to and adapted to slide along the chordal surfaces of said adjacent outer dies,

and meansflfor radially shifting said inner dies to cause the same to move the outer dies radially outwardly, and to permitsaid inner dies to move into position between said outer dies so as" to form a continuous peripheral grooved die wall adapted to co-onerate'with the inner wallof said ring.

19. In an apparatus ofthe class described, means for sizing a collapsed bead formed in the wall of a cylindrical body, comprising an annular die'and a plurality of co-operating dies located concentrically with relation to said first mentioned die and having grooves 51, 5,2, and'means' for moving said co-operative' dies simultaneously toward said annular,

die for engaging the collapsed bead therebetween and in said grooves'for sizing the same. 20.111 a deviceof the class described, the

combination of an annular die, a plurality or (to-operative dies located-within said annular die and forming when expanded a complete cylindrical body, and means for moving said co-operative dies radially outward and causing their outer surfaces to lie in a common circumferential plane to engage the collapsed bead formed in the wall of a cylindrical container and to size it to exact circumferential dimension. a 3 a 21. In a device of the class described, comprising an annular sizing die and a plurality of co-opera'tive sizing jaws, each having arcuate recessed surfaces adapted to engage the collapsed bead formed in the periphery of a cylindrical container, some dies having chordal faces-and others of said dies having vertical side walls disposed at an angle of approximately 60 to each other, whereby to cause said vertical walls of certain ofsaid jaws to continuously engage the chordal walls of the other jaws.

22. The meth d of forming a looped portion in the wall of a cylindrical body, having a peripheral bead therein, comprising collapsing the head by endwise pressure on the walls ofxa cylindricalhody, and then compressing the colla sed head by outward and inward pressure t ereon.

23. The method of making asheet metal annular closure seat on the interior of cylindrical can bodies, which consists in forming an internal bead on the inside surface of a sheet metal body, then pressing said body endwise while confined exteriorl and 'promethod. of :inaking a sheet metal endwise while confined exteriorly and interiorly, and producing anmternal extension,

of said'bead into loo form, and then press- 7 ing said loop outwar 1y to predetermined internal dimension.

GEORGE .FREDRICK WALTER. i 

